Fluid-pressure gun.



P. A. McCULLOUGH.

FLUID PRESSURE GUN.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 16. 1915.

Patented Nov. 14; 1916.

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P. A. McCULLOUGH.

FLUID PRESSURE GUN. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 16. 1915.

1,204,803. Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

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PETER A. MGCULLOUGH, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

FLUID-PRESSURE GUN.

mosses.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 14, 1916.

Application filed December 16, 1-915; Serial n6. eases.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER A. MoCuL- LoUeI-I, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny andState of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement inFluid-Pressure Guns, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to fluid pressure guns for impelling projectiles.

The object of the invention is to provide a simpleform of gun requiringno explosive for impelling the projectile, butt nevertheless enabling itto be safely thrown to a distant point with accuracy and a minimumexpenditure of energy; and one which can be readily operated byunskilled persons and canbe regulated to impel the projectile to anydistance.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gun of this kind whichhasmaximum strength for its weight and which is provided with cushioningdevices forebsorbing the surplus energy of the impelling member, therebyavoiding injury to the gun; and also one which is of simple constructionso that it can bereadily repaired or its parts replaced in the fieldfrom ordinary material likely to be at hand.

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious and in partwillappear more in detail hereinafter.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a longitudinal sectional viewthrough one form of gun embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a crosssectional view on the line 22, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of thearrows; Fig. 3' is a cross sectional View on the line 33, Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 1 is a detail view of theplungerretracting mechanism, the. plunger being shown in retractedposition ready to be released; Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view 011 theline 5-5, Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view, of anothergun, showing a modification; and Fig. 7 is a similar view, showing stillanother form of un. b Referring to the drawings, the gun shown embodiesa hollow casing 1', which may be of any suitable form, and is shown asembodying two tubular members 2 andv 3 threaded into opposite ends of alarge intermediate member 4 having a large opening 5 at one end leadinginto the tube 2 and at its opposite end provided with a cross wall 6.The two tubes 2'and 3 form supports and guides for a movable plunger A,shown-as provided with a stem 13, a head 7 having a" suitable packing 8closely fitting the walls of the tube 2 and a head 9 having a similarpacking 10 fitting the walls of the tube 3. Both, of said packings 8 and10 are shown as cupped members whose rims extend towardthe hollow member4. The chamber 11 within said member and behind the head 7 is filledwith a body of fluid, such as air or other gas, which forms the powermedium for operating the plunger and impelling' the projectile. Saidfluid is confined at one end of said chamber by the pa'ckingS, and atthe opposite end by a packing 12' in the cross wall 6 through whichslides the hollow tubular stem 13 of the operating'p'lunger.

Head 7 of the plunger is shown as comprising a fitting l4 screwed uponthe pipe 13 and to which is bolted or otherwise sea cured" a cup-shapedholder 15 whose cavity 16 forms a seat for the projectile 17. Saidprojectile is preferably held loosely in said seat and" is preventedfrom accidentally escaping therefrom by light springs, such as the leafsprings 18, attached to the outer end of theholder 15'.

In operation of this gun the plunger is retracted in the casing toincrease the pres sure of the fluid in chamber 11, so that the pressureof'said fluid forms the impelling force for throwing the plunger forwardand impelling'the projectile from the gun. The

pressure" in chamber 11 is usually maintained at some point aboveatmospheric pressure; In other words, the pressure in said chamber israised above normal from some outside source. For this purpose the gunis provided with an outwardly seating valve .19, shown as located in thewall of the hollow member 4, which retains the pressure in the chamber11, and also enables pressureto besupp'lied to said chamber from anoutside source-such as a hand pump or other device which may be attachedto the outer end of the casing of valve 19.

Any suitable means may be provided for retracting the impelling plunger.In the form shown in Fig. 1-, the plunger is retracted by a rotatablerod 20 which passes through a central opening in a head 21 on the outerend of pipe 3 and is provided on its outer end with an operating member,such as the hand wheel 22, although, of course,

surrounding said nut.

, projectile.

a power motor may be employed if desired. f aid rod is also providedwith a collar forming a sl1oulder23avhich abuts against the outer faceof the head 21 in retracting the piston, and the outer portion of saidrod, where it passes through said head, is a smooth cylinder, so thatsaid rod can be rotated freely in the head without moving longitudinallytherein. ihe central portion of said rod is provided with threads 24,and its inner end has the threads cut away to form a reduced smoothcylindrical portion 25 beyond which is a head 26 of larger than eterthan the reduced portion Attached to the operating plunger is asectional nut 27, shown as comprising a plurality, say three, ofinternally threaded members 28 which are movable radially relatively toeach other. Said threaded members are shown as carried by longitudinallyextending arms 29 which may be formed on or attached to the fitting 30of the head 9, and which arms have suiiicient flexibility and resiliencyto enable the nut sections to expand and retract. The outer surfaces ofsaid nut sections are provided with inclined shoulders 28 andlongitudinally extending abutment surfaces 31 to cooperate with anoperating sleeve 32 V Said sleeve embraces the arms 29 and is providedwith inwardly extending abutr, cuts 33 lying behind the head 26 of theoperating rod 20, and its outer end is provided with an annular flange34 having acurved inner surface 35 for cooperation with the inclinedsurfaces 28 of the nut sections.

In Fig. 1 the parts are shown in the position when the plunger has beenreleased and has moved forwardly, the projectile being just about tobegin its forward travel. To retract the piston the operating rod 20 isfirst pulled outwardly by its handle to cause the head 26 to engage theshoulders 33 of the sleeve 32 and force said shoulder outwardly, wherebyits rounded surfaces 35 ride over the inclined surfaces 30 and upon thecylindrical abutment surfaces 31 of said sections. Rod 20 is then pushedinwardly until its threads 24% engage the threads of the nut and isturned by its handle to cause the nut to travel outwardly along thescrewthreads and thereby retract the plunger. Suitable mechanism is alsoprovided for releasing the plunger from the retracting rod to impel theIn the form shown said means comprises a handle 36 pivotally mountedupon the outside of the casing, for example, upon the periphery of thehead or cap 21, and having one or more arms 36 extending throughopenings into said casing and lying opposite the flange 34 of sleeve 32when in retracted position. By pressing upon the handle 36 sleeve 32 ispushed back off the nut sections, which thereupon expand and release theplunger from the operating rod 20. The plunger thereupon is thrownforwardly by the pressure in chamber 11 and impels the projectile to itsdestination. The plunger may be released in several different positionswith varying pressures behind it, and the normal pressure in chamber 11may be increased or diminished by way of valve 19, whereby the range ofthe gun may be adjusted .as desired. The arms 36 may, if desired, berigidly mounted upon the casing walls in the position shown in Fig. 1,and so arranged as to push the sleeve 32 off from the nut sections bythe rearward movement of the plunger 13, so that said plunger isautomatically released when fully retracted. T he gun is also arrangedto cushion the blow of the plunger at the end of its stroke and therebyavoid transmitting a powerful shock to the casing or frame and possiblyinjuring the gun. Several cushioning devices are shown for this purpose.In the form shown in F 1 the cushioning effect is obtained by the air inthe chamber 37 between the head 9 and cross wall 6. Pipe 3, in which thehead 9 travels, is provided at one point with a port or opening 38located outwardly beyond the limit of travel of the head 9. Consequentlysaid head passes and closes the port 38 when the plunger movesforwardly, and compresses the air in the chamber 37. By locating theport 38 longitudinally at different points on the tube 3 any desiredcushioning effectcan be obtained. Furthermore, the cross wall 6 ispreferably provided with a check valve 39, seating toward the chamber37, and governing the passage of fluid from said chamber to the chamber11. The operating plunger travels forward with considerable momentum,and always moves slightly beyond the point at which the pressures inchambers 11 and 37 equalize. Consequently at each forward movement ofthe plunger a small amount of air passes 'h'rough the valve 39 fromchamber 37 to chamber 11, thereby automatically maintaining the pressurein chamber 11 and compensating for losses therefrom by leakage. Usuallythe pressure in chamber 11 builds up to and does not exceed a definitemaximum, so that the air passing through the valve 39 is merelysuflicient to supply leakage losses.

Fig. 6 shows another cushioning arrangement. This form of gun isprovided with an auxiliary piston 40, located in advance of the head 9of the main operating plunger and provided on its outer face with anannular cavity 4.1 to receive the rim or wall 42 of the head 9.Consequently, when the head 9 encounters the auxiliary piston in itsforward travel the rim or wall 42 enters the cavity 41 and compressesthe air therein to cushion the blow. Auxiliary piston also travels in aclosed chamber 43, formed by the main casing 2 and a supplemental innercasleased.

ing 4- 1, as the result of which the main plunger compresses the air inchamber 43 in addition to moving the auxiliary piston forwardly.

Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the invention including slightmodifications in the form of the main plunger and the. easing in whichit travels and also shows a different form of mechanism for retractingsaid piston. Said mechanism comprises a winding drum 50 j ournaled inthe outer end of the casing tube 3 and operated by a handle 51.Connected to said drum is a ratchet 52 cooperating with a pawl mountedon the casing and adapted to prevent backward rotation of the drum whenwound. Behind the rear piston head 9* is a slid-ing hollow sleeve 54 inwhich is journaled a pulley 55 over which passes a cord or cable 56. Oneend of said cable is secured at 57 to a fixed part of the casing, andthe other end of said cable is fastened to the drum 50. By winding upthe drum the sleeve 5a is retracted in the casing. Said sleeve isconnected to the main plunger, for retracting the same, by a hook 58arranged to engage a loop or eye 59 carried by the plunger, and whichhook is located on one end of along arm 60 pivoted on the axis of thepulley Said arm has a portion 61 extending out through a longitudinalslot in the casing tube 3*. With this form of the invention the mainpiston is retracted by winding up the drum 50 so as to compress the airin the chamber 11. The more the plunger is retracted the greater is thepressure in said chamber and the impelling force applied to theprojectile. Consequently, with this arrangement the projectile can beimpelled to any distance by retracting the plunger to the proper degree.When retracted the plunger is released by pressing down upon theoutwardly extending portion of lever 60, thereby releasing the hook 58from the loop 59.

lVith all forms of the invention the effect may be increased by closingthe outer or muzzle end of the gun 'by'a substantialnoncollapsiblediaphragm, so as to prevent the entrance of air thereto.--When the main plunger is retracted a vacuum is produced in the muzzleend of the gun to assist in moving the plunger forwardly when re Forexample, in Fig. 1 the muzzle end of the gun is provided with a seat fora gasket 65, and after the projectile is put in place a thin sheet metaldiaphragm 66, preferably convextoward the projectile, is placed oversaid gasket. This diaphragm is strong enough to resist collapse by thevacuum, but is so light that when the plunger moves forwardly theprojectile merely pushes it out of the way and it offers no substantialresistance to the forward movement of the projectile.

In use of the gun it will of course be mounted upon a suitable supportor frame designed to absorb the recoil and also embodying suitable meansfor aiming the gun in any desired direction. These features, however,may be of any suitable form and are not essential to the invention andare therefore not illustrated. This form of gun is very simple and doesaway entirely with the use of explosive charges for "firing projectiles. It is therefore particularly valuable for impellin-g explosiveprojectiles, such as grenades which are ordinarily thrown by hand. Itcan 'be made in any size to suit the particular grenade which itisdesi'red to dis charge and can be proportioned or adjusted to impelsaid projectile to any desired distance.

What I claim is 1. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a casing having apressure chamber therein, and a projectile impelling member movable insaid casing and adapted when retracted therein to increase the pressurein said chamber.

2. A fluid pressure gun, comprising-a casing having a pressure chambertherein, a projectile impelling member movable in said casing andadapted when retracted therein to increasethe pressurein said chamber,and

means for retracting said member.

A fluid pressure gun, comprising a casing having a pressure chambertherein, a projectile impelling member movable in said casing andadapted when retractedtherein to increase the pressure in said chamber,means for retracting said member, and means for releasing said memberfrom said retracting means.

l. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a casing having a pressure chambertherein, a. projectile impelling member movable in said casing andadauted when retracted therein to increase the pressure in said chamber,and means forcushioning said member on its forward stroke.

A fluid-pressure gun, comprisinga ca.s ing having a pressure chambertherein, and a :pro ectile impelling member movable in said casing andhaving a portion forming one wall of said chamber, said member beingadapted when retracted in said casing to increase the pressure in saidchamber.

6. A fiuid pressure gun, comprising a casing having a pressure chambertherein, a projectile impelling member movable in said casing and havinga portion forming one wall of said chamber, said member being adaptedwhen retracted in said'casing :to increase the pressure in said chamber,and means for retracting saidmember.

7. A=fluid pressure gun, comprising a casing having a pressure chambertherein, a projectile impelling member movable in said casing and havinga portion forming one wall of said chamber, said member being adaptedwhen retracted in said casing to increase the pressure in said chamber,means for retracting said member, and means for releasing said memberfrom said retracting means.

8. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a casing having a pressure chambertherein, a projectile impelling member movable in said casing and havinga portion forming one wall of said chamber, said member being adaptedwhen retracted in said casing to increase the pressure in said chamber,and means for cushioning said member on its forward stroke.

9. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a casing having a pressure chambertherein, a projectile impelling member movable in said casing andadapted when retracted therein to increase the pressure in said chamber,and means for automatically supplying pressure to said chamber.

10. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a casing having a pressure chambertherein, a projectile impelling member movable in said casing andadapted when retracted therein to increase the pressure in said chamber,and means controlled by said piston for supplying fluid to said chamber;

11. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a casing having a pressure chambertherein, a projectile impelling member movable in said casing andadapted when retracted therein to increase the pressure in said chamber,and means whereby said piston on its forward stroke supplies fluid tosaid chamber.

12. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a tubular casing having a pressurechamber therein, and a plunger slidable in said casing and having a seatfor a projectile, said plunger when retracted being adapted to increasethe pressure in said chamber.

13. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a. tubular casing having a pressurechamber therein, and a plunger slidable in said casing and having a seatfor a projectile, said plunger having a portion forming one wall of saidchamber and adapted when retracted to increase the pressure therein.

14. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a tubular casing having a pressurechamber therein, a plunger slidable in said casing and having a seat fora projectile, said plunger when retracted being adapted to increase thepressure in said chamber, and means for retracting said plunger.

15. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a tubular casing having a pressurechamber therein, a plunger slidable in said casing and having a seat fora projectile, said plunger having a portion forming one wall of saidchamber and adapted when retracted to increase the pressure therein, andmeans for retracting said plunger.

16. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a tubular casing having a pressurechamber therein, a plunger slidable in said casing and having a seat fora projectile, said plunger when retracted being adapted to increase thepressure in said chamber, means for retracting said plunger, and meansfor releasing said plunger when retracted.

17. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a tubular casing having a pressurechamber therein, a plunger slidable in said casing and having a seat fora projectile, said plunger having a portion forming one wall of saidchamber and adapted when retracted to increase the pressure therein,means for retracting said plunger, and means for releasing said plungerwhen retracted.

18. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a tubular casing having a pressurechamber therein, a plunger slidabe in said casing and having a seat fora projectile, said plunger when retracted being adapted to increase thepressure in said chamber, and means for cushioning said plunger on itsforward stroke.

19. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a tubular casing having a pressurechamber therein, a plunger slidable in said casing and having a seat fora projectile, said plunger having a portion forming one wall of saidchamber and adapted when retracted to increase the pressure therein, andmeans for cushioning said plunger on its forward stroke.

20. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a tubular casing having a pressurechamber therein, a plunger slidable in said casing and having a seat fora projectile, said plunger when retracted being adapted to increase thepressure in said chamber, and means operable from the breech end of saidcasing for retracting said plunger and thereby compressing the fluid insaid chamber.

21. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a tubular casing having a. pressurechamber therein, a plunger slidable in said casing and having a seat fora projectile, said plunger having a portion forming one wall of saidchamber and adapted when retracted to increase the pressure therein, andmeans operable from the breech end of said casing for retracting saidplunger and thereby compressing the fluid in said chamber.

22. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a tubular casing having a crossWall therein, a plunger extending through said wall and provided withheads on opposite sides thereof working in the tubular casing, and meansfor retracting said plunger in said casing to compress the fluid in saidcasing between one of said plunger heads and said cross Wall.

23. A fluid pressure gun, comprising a tubular casing having a crosswall therein, a plunger extending through said Wall and provided withheads on opposite sides thereto increase the pressure in said chamber,of Working in the tubular casing, means 'for and means for sealing themuzzle end of said retracting said plunger in said casing to casing forproducing a vacuum in advance compress the fluid in said casing betweenone of the projectile. 15

5 of said plunger heads and said cross Wall, In testimony whereof, Ihave hereunto set and a valve located in said cross Wall for my hand.controlling the flow of fluid therethrough.

24. A fluid pressure gun, comprising :1 PETER 'MCGULLOUGH' casing havinga pressure chamber therein, a lVitnesses: l0 pr0 ect1le lmpellmg membermovable 1n sald ELBERT L. HYDE,

casing and adapted When retracted therein GLENN H. LERESOHE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D G.

